Egg carton



Jan. 1, 1957 G. D. BENNORTH EGG CARTON Filed April 6, 1953 INVENTOR.

Jan. 1, 1957 I D, BENNORTH 2,776,082

EGG CARTON Filed April 6, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 :EIE I5 IN VEN TOR.

BY a/KL 147' 7' ORA/E V5 nited States Patent EGG CARTON George D.Bennorth, Mountain View, Calif. Application April 6, 1953, Serial No.346,836

8 Claims. (Cl. 22928) The present invention relates to an egg carton,and pertains more particularly .to a cardboard cart-on which will safelyand individually support and protect a plurality of eggs, such as, forexample, one dozen.

The invention contemplates the provision of an improved cardboard cartonfor the transporting and handling of eggs. The invention also providescushioned support and individual lateral nesting of each of a pluralityof eggs packed in a carton, means being provided to expose the eggsseleotively for removal, while at the same time maintaining theremainder of the eggs safely in the carton.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a securely bracednesting partition for individually supporting each of a plurality ofeggs in an egg carton. A further object of the invention is to provideimproved tabs for attaching together relatively folded portions of anegg carton.

A further object of the invention is to provide cushioned egg supportand retaining means for containing a predetermined number of eggs in acarton, while at the same time providing for the exposure and removal ofselected lesser numbers of eggs from the carton. I

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a carton embodying the presentinvention, the carton being illustrated as containing a number of eggstherein, one transverse row of the eggs being exposed for removal.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the carton shown in Fig. 1 as itwould appear in its fully closed condition.

Fig. 3 is a plan View in reduced scale of a portion of the blank fromwhich the carton shown in Figs. land 2 is constructed, a centrallongitudinal portion of the blank being folded to form a ridge.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the blank shown in Fig. 3. i

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the ridge-forming portionof the blank shown in Figs; 3 and 4 as it appears before folding.

Fig. 6 is a similarly enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6-6 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary, perspective View of one of aplurality of egg supporting fingers formed by making a plurality ofcentrally intersecting radial cuts of equal length in the centralhorizontal partition of the carton to provide an egg supporting nest.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9-9 ofFig. 1, and showinga cover-locking tab in its slot.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing the tab being withdrawnfrom its slot in opening the cover of the carton.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a carton A (Figs. 1 and2) is made from a partially preformed, but generally planiform cardboardblank 20.

, faces of the portions forming the ridge 44 are adhesively' The cartonblank 20 is divided into three main portions by score lines 21 and 22(Fig. 3) to facilitate folding the blank along these lines. These threemain portions of the car-ton comprise a cover portion 23, anintermediate transverse egg receiving partition portion 24, and a bottomportion 25. The cover portion 23 is provided with two longitudinal scorelines 27, 28, and the bottom portion 25 is similarly provided with twolongitudinal score lines 29, 36 to facilitate folding the carton blank20 into the box like formation shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

A plurality of locking tabs 31 and 32 are formed to extend from each ofthe two longitudinal terminal edges of the carton blank 20. Since thesetabs 31 and 32 are similar to each other, one only thereof will bedescribed.

The tab 31 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10) has a U-shaped cut 33 therein toprovide a latch tongue 34 within the confines of this U-shaped cut, theattached base of the tongue 34 being directed toward the outer or freeend of the tab 31. The severed tongue portion 34 is bent in angularlyoffset relation to the remainder of the tab 31 along a score lineindicated by the broken line 35 in Fig. 3 so as to extend inwardly intothe carton when erected as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Rows of perforations 37, 37 (Figs. 1 and 3) extend transversely of thecarton cover portion 23 midway between each adjacent pair of edgefastening tabs 31, 31. These rows of perforations extend from thetab-bearing edge of the cover portion 23 to the second longitudinalscore line 29 therein, and divide the cover portion 23 into a pluralityof easily severable strips 38, which may be torn loose one or more at atime as shown in Fig. 1 to expose one or more pairs of eggs as desired.

A plurality of egg engaging cushions in the form of rosettes 39 areprovided in the cover portion 23 and are positioned to centrally overliethe upper ends of eggs 40 inserted in a plurality of egg receivingpockets 41 formed in the central transverse partition 24 in a manner tobe described later herein.

Each rosette cushion 39 is formed by making a plurality of centrallyintersecting cuts 42 of equal length, reversely bending the pointedinner ends of the segments 43 thus formed so that these pointed endportions will project inwardly into the carton when formed, and thenbending the entire segments along their base lines in a direction whichwill olfset the segments inwardly into the carton A when formed as shownin Figs. 1 and 2.

A downwardly extending central ridge 44 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) is formedin the partition 24 by folding the carton blank 20 double along thelongitudinal center of the partition portion 24, and then outwardly atangles of along the lines 45, 45 (Fig. 4). The contacting inner securedtogether.

A plurality of bayonet type notches 47 (Figs. 11, 3, 5 and 6) eachhaving a tongue 48 projecting therein from a side thereof, are providedin the ridge 44, one of said notches being provided adjacent each end ofthe ridge, and each of the others substantially in alignment with one ofa plurality of posts 49 formed from tabs cut in the carton bottom in amanner to be described later herein.

The egg receiving pockets 41 are formed in the partition portion 24 bymaking a plurality of centrally intersecting cuts Sil of equal length toform a plurality of radially disposed pointed segments 51, creasing thesegments 51 (Fig. 7) along their longitudinal center lines as at 52(Figs. 7 and 8), and curving the segments concavely downwardlylongitudinally thereof as best shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 7 so that thesegments may be easily displaced downwardly when inserting an egg 40 inthe pocket. The combined creasing and curvature of the segmentsstrengthens them and causes them to partially embrace and adequatelysupport the egg when inserted therein as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Rosette type egg supporting cushions 53 are formed in the central bottomportion of the carton blank 20 between the score lines 29 and 30therein, similar to the rosettes 39 in the cover 23. These bottomrosettes 53, like the upper ones 39, are formed to extend inwardly intothe carton A when formed.

A plurality of the partition support posts 49 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6) forlocking engagement with the notches 47 in the center ridge 44 are formedfrom tabs 49a (Fig. 3) cut from the bottom portion 25 of the cartonblank 20.

The post tabs 49a (Fig. 3) are provided at desired spaced intervalsalong the longitudinal center line of the carton bottom. A notch 54 isformed in the free end of each post tab 49aand a hole 55 is punched ineach tab 49a inwardly of the notch 54 to receive the tongue 48 extendinginwardly from a side of each bayonet notch 47 in the ridge 44. Scorelines 57, 57 are provided adjacent each longitudinal edge of each posttab 49a, to provide angularly bent side flanges 57a (Figs. 1, 2 and 6)on each post 49, each of the side flanges being severed at its base fromthe carton blank 20 by a short cut 57b.

In erecting the carton, the side flanges 57a of the tabs are bentupwardly at right angles to the body of the tabs to form the posts 49.The posts then are swung to upright position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and6. Each post 49 fits into and has interlocking engagement with acorrespondingly positioned notch 47 in the center ridge 44' (Figs. 1, 2and 6 The end notch 54 (Fig. 3) in each post 49' receives the remainingportion of the ridge 44 at the bottom of its corresponding bayonet notch47, while the free end of each post 49 on opposite sides of the endnotch 54 engages and supports the transverse partition 24 (Figs. 2 and6).

The resiliency of the cardboard from which the posts 49 are constructed,together with the bearing of the base ends of the post side flanges 57aon the flat bottom portion 25 of the carton A urges the posts to returntoward their original flattened position coincident with thecartonbottom. In order to utilize this resilient biasing force on theposts to urge them into interlocking relation with their respectivenotches, each bayonet notch 47 has its tongue 48 located on the sidethereof toward which its corresponding post is biased. This biasingforce therefore urges the posts into interlocking engagement with theirrespective bayonet notches.

It is preferable to have the two outermost posts on the two ends of thecarton cut to swing outward toward the ends of the carton for erection.They then will be biased inwardly toward the center of the carton asshown in Fig. 1. When thus arranged, any pressure which may be exertedon the end posts through the open ends of the carton tends to force thepost so pressed more securely into interlocking relation with itsinterengaged bayonet notch 47.

To conserve shipping space, the carton blanks 20 are packed and shippedin their scored and partially preformed condition shown in Figs. 3 and4. In erecting the cartons for filling, the side flanges 57a of the posttabs 49aare bent upwardly at right angles to the body of each post taband the posts 49 are erected. The carton bottom 25 then is folded alongthe score lines 29 and 30, and the partition 24 is folded over as shownin Figs. 1 and 2. The posts 49 are interlocked with their respectivebayonet notches 47 and the bottom latching tabs 32 are inserted inslotted openings 62 provided therefor along the score line 22 (Fig. 3').

The latch tongues 34, after passing through the slots 62 projectinwardly beyond the inner edges of the slots 62 to. engage, thetransverse partitionportion 24 (Figs. 1 and 2) and thus to retain thetabs 32 against withd'rawal from their respective slots. The carton Athen is filled by inserting an egg 40 (Figs. 1 and 2) into each of thepockets 41. The weight of the egg is suflicient to bend the pre-curvedand scored segments 51 downwardly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to embraceand protect the side of the egg. The lower end of each egg rests uponand is supported by the rosette cushion 53 immediately beneath each eggreceiving pocket 41. The rosette cushions the egg, resiliently supportsit over a relatively large area, and tends to center the end of the eggtherein.

When the carton A is filled, the cover 23 may be folded along the scoredlines 27' nd 28, and swung to the closed position shown in Figs. 1 and2. The cover-locking tabs 31 are inserted in slots 63, providedtherefore in the front wall 64 of the carton bottom portion 25. Theslots 63 preferably are somewhat wider than the slots 62 for the bottomtabs 32 since the rear tabs are intended to be inserted by means of aset-up fixture (not shown) while the cover tabs 31 may be insertedmanually. The offset latch tongues 34 of the cover tabs 31 haveinterlocking engagement with the front wall 64 of the carton bottomportion 25 above the slots 63 to secure the cover 23 in closed position(Fig. 9).

The overall height of the carton when closed is such as to bring the toprosettes 39 into resilient cushioning and centering engagement with theupper ends of the eggs 40 in their respective pockets. Curved fingernail receiving slits 65 are provided in the front wall portion 67 ofeach severable cover strip 38 provided by the rows of perforations 37.Thus, when it is desired to uncover one or more pairs of eggs in thecarton, ones finger nail 68 (Fig. 1) may be inserted through the openingprovided by a selected one of the curved slits 65. By then exerting anupward lifting force on the cover 23 the tongues of the cover latchingtabs 31 may be bent reversely upon their respective tabs as shown inFig. 10 and withdrawn from their slots 63, while at the same timesevering the cover portion 23 along the row of perforations 37 as shownin Fig. 1.

The eggs 40 to be removed may be elevated in their respective pockets byinserting ones finger 69 (Fig. 1) through the rosette cushion 53 beneaththe egg which it is desired to remove. When thus elevated, the egg maybe grasped by the other hand and withdrawn from its pocket 41.

The carton is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and permits of thepacking of a large number of cartons in a relatively small shippingspace. It is easily assembled for use, and provides positive cushionedsupport for the eggs during transit and storage. The eggs may be removedeasily in desired quantities from the carton, and theunused eggs aresecurely retained in the carton and are protected from damage.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, it will be understood however, that various changesand modifications may be made in the details thereof without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. For forming an egg carton, a blank of bendable sheet material scoredfor folding into a central portion and two side portions, each sideportion of said blank being scored for folding to three walled box shapeoverlying, and enclosing opposite sides of the central portion of saidblank to form a carton, a plurality of egg receiving pockets formed intwo rows lengthwise of said central portion, a ridge formed lengthwiseof said central portion by bending the sheet material disposed betweenthe two rows of egg receiving pockets, said ridge having a plurality ofnotches formed at predetermined spaced intervals therein, a plurality ofpost forming tabs cut from said blank to lie opposite said ridge withthe side portions of said blank folded to three wall box shape overlyingthe central portion, one end of each tab being attached to the blank toprovide a hinge connection between the tab and the blank, each tab beingscored lengthwise therefor for bending to form a stiffened post, thefree end of each tab being formed to interlock with one of the notchesin said ridge thereby to provide a post-like support between the ridgeand the portion of the blank having the post tab formed therein.

2. For forming an egg carton, a blank of sheet material scored forfolding into a partition portion and two side portions, the two sideportions each being wider than the partition portion for folding tooverlie and enclose opposite faces of the partition portion, a pluralityof egg receiving pockets formed in two rows lengthwise of said partitionportion, a ridge formed to extend lengthwise of the partition portionbetween the tWo rows of pockets therein, said ridge having a pluralityof notches therein, a plurality of post forming tabs cut from saidblank, the base of each post tab being opposite a notch in said ridgewith a predetermined one of said side portions folded to overlie andenclose a predetermined side of the partition portion, said tabs beingbendable at their bases to have their free ends enter a notch in saidridge, and means for connecting each tab within its corresponding notchto provide a support between the partition portion and the portion ofthe blank having the tab formed therein.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2 wherein each notch in the ridgehas a tongue projecting from a side thereof, and the post tab has anopening therein to receive the tongue, the tab being bent in a directionto bias the free end of the post toward the side of the notch having thetongue projecting therefrom.

4. A generally rectangular blank of sheet material for forming an eggcarton comprising a central partition portion and two carton formingside portions integral therewith, each side portion being substantiallywider than the partition portion, a pair of scored fold lines, parallelto each other and to the terminal edges of said side portions, definingthe separation between the partition portion and each of said sideportions to facilitate folding the side portions toward opposite sidesof the partition portion, a plurality of latching tabs extending atpredetermined spaced intervals from the terminal edge of each sideportion, and a plurality of egg receiving pockets in said partitionportion, said blank having a plurality of tab receiving slits thereinalong each of said scored fold lines, the slits along each fold linebeing spaced apart by distances corresponding to the spacing of the tabson the side portion more remote therefrom, whereby each row of slitsreceives therein the tabs of the opposite side portion when said sideportions are bent toward opposite sides of the partition portion alongsaid fold lines and are arched transversely across the partitionportion.

5. A generally rectangular blank of sheet material for forming an eggcarton comprising a central partition portion and two carton formingside portions integral therewith, each side portion being substantiallywider than the partition portion, a pair of scored fold lines, parallelto each other and to the terminal edges of said side portions, definingthe separation between the partition portion and each of said sideportions to facilitate folding the side portions toward opposite sidesof the partition portion, a plurality of latching tabs extending atpredetermined spaced intervals from the terminal edge of each sideportion, a plurality of egg receiving pockets in said partition portion,said blank having a plurality of tab receiving slits therein along eachof said scored fold lines, the slits along each fold line being spacedapart by distances corresponding to the spacing of the tabs on the sideportion more remote therefrom, whereby each row of slits receivestherein the tabs of the opposite side portion when said side portionsare bent toward opposite sides of the partition portion along said foldlines and are arched transversely across the partition portion, and arosette formed in each side portion to have central alignment with eachpocket when said side portions are arched transversely across thepartition portion, each rosette comprising a plurality of segmentsformed in the blank by a plurality of centrally intersecting symmetricalslits, the inner end portion of each segment being bent reversely uponitself, and each entire segment being offset from the plane of theblank.

6. A generally rectangular blank of sheet material for forming an eggcarton comprising a central partition portion and two carton formingside portions integral therewith, each side portion being substantiallywider than the partition portion, a pair of scored fold lines parallelto each other and to the terminal edges of said side portions definingthe separation between the partition portion and each of said sideportions to facilitate the folding of the side portions toward oppositesides of the partition portion, a plurality of latching tabs extendingat predetermined spaced intervals from the terminal edge of each sideportion, and two rows of egg receiving pockets in said partitionportion, said rows being parallel to the fold lines and on oppositesides of a center line of said partition portion, a ridge formedlengthwise of said partition portion by bending the blank reversely uponitself and then laterally outwardly on each side of the reverse bend,said blank having a plurality of tab receiving slits therein along eachof said scored fold lines, the slits along each fold line being spacedapart by distances corresponding to the spacing of the tabs on the sideportion more remote therefrom, whereby each row of slits receivestherein the tabs of the opposite side portion when said side portionsare bent toward opposite sides of the partition portion along said foldlines and are arched transversely across the partition portion.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6 wherein a plurality ofreinforcing post forming tabs are cut from one of said side portionsmidway of its width, the free end of each post tab being formed forinterengagement with said ridge.

8. For forming an egg carton, a blank of sheet material scored forfolding into a partition portion and two side portions located one oneach side of said partition portion, each side portion of said blankbeing scored for folding to three Walled box shape and along its line ofjuncture with the partition portion to overlie and enclose oppositesides of the partition portion of said blank, a plurality of eggreceiving pockets formed in said partition portion, and means forreleasably attaching the lateral free edge of each side portion to theblank adjacent the opposite side of the partition portion from its lineof juncture with the partition portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,021,998 Myers Apr. 2, 1912 1,115,449 Morgan Oct. 27, 1914 1,681,700Folmer Aug. 21, 1928 1,899,547 Addis Feb. 28, 1933 1,906,337 RutledgeMay 2, 1933 1,963,378 Petter June 19, 1934 2,544,654 Brown Mar. 13, 19512,571,408 Bergstein Oct. 16, 1951 2,582,655 Schenk Ian. 15, 19522,584,595 Kowal Feb. 5, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 40,860 France May 31, 1932

